Re: Kelly Willis (was Re: The Mountain (LONG w/1999 Reviews)
One more Kelly Willis note. If you have a copy of the Fading Fast ep that you're willing to part with, it's been going for over thirty bucks on ebay recently. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=75030986 -- Tom Mohr at the office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] at the home: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Kelly Willis (was Re: The Mountain (LONG w/1999 Reviews)
(i.e. Real: Tom T. Hall Project and Rig Rock Deluxe) and her duet w/ Farrar on Rex's Blues on the Red Hot Bothered. It is weird, she must be the single greatest compilations-related artist of all time, all 3 of those songs are just incredible. dan
Re: Kelly Willis (was Re: The Mountain (LONG w/1999 Reviews)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: (i.e. Real: Tom T. Hall Project and Rig Rock Deluxe) and her duet w/ Farrar on Rex's Blues on the Red Hot Bothered. It is weird, she must be the single greatest compilations-related artist of all time, all 3 of those songs are just incredible. dan Perhaps someone's already mentioned this, but her "Me and Mr. Jones" on _Wandering Eyes_ is just incredible too. -- Tom Mohr at the office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] at the home: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Kelly Willis (was Re: The Mountain (LONG w/1999 Reviews)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: (i.e. Real: Tom T. Hall Project and Rig Rock Deluxe) and her duet w/ Farrar on Rex's Blues on the Red Hot Bothered. It is weird, she must be the single greatest compilations-related artist of all time, all 3 of those songs are just incredible. dan It's a real shame we never got to hear more of Farrar and Willis working together. Their voices work really well together. Both Rex's Blues and Truckstop Girl are incredible. I have an interview somewhere where the interviewer describes them sitting around in the studio, just pickin old chestnuts and enjoying feeling their voices wrap around each other. Stevie
Re: The Mountain (LONG w/1999 Reviews)
Just when I thought Purcell and I were from different musical planets, he writes a post that I agree with word for word (except I am not much worried about Steve Earle burning out, but that is a minor point). ALong these lines I have these impressions of my latest 1999 purchases: Kelly Willis: A little flat and slick at first impression but certain songs have really grown on me. What I cannot figure out is why her cuts on compilations (i.e. Real: Tom T. Hall Project and Rig Rock Deluxe) practically bring me to spasms of joy and are often my favorite cuts on the comps. But Her solo albums always leave me a little let-down?? Gourds: I am really digging Ghosts of Hallelujah. I love the loose live sound that they have reverted back to (sounds more like Dem's Good Beeble to me than the Waltermelon disc -- although I am a fan of both). The lyrics never reach me on a conscious level (I mean the first song comes out of the gate with the protagonist kicking a dog that is taking a shit!!) but I don't seem to care. I just love their sound and approach and voices. I can even overlook the blatant vocal tributes to Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Vic Chestnut. Gets funner every listen. Wilco: I want to LOVE this record. I cheer in public for Tweedy's musical idealism and ambitiousness. HOWEVER only parts of this record work for me. The sounds are interesting but to my ears they don't ALWAYS serve the songs well. To get more wicked I don't think that ALL of the songs are that strong (with the exception of a few - She's a Jar, and a few others are Great!! -- although the last line of She's a Jar is totally distracting and unnecessary IMO). Which leads me to the lyrics which alternate from sweet to morose(sp?) a little too much for my taste. It's like he is doing a musical version of that Jay McInerney book about the high class serial murderer. Except I don't really care about his characters and he repeats the I want to kill you theme a few times to where I am subconsciously wanting to kill him. But I am spinning and spinning this thing -- maybe just to figure out why he so consciously is borrowing from Brian Wilson and Sgt. Pepper's. I am perplexed by this guy and this record. Keeps life interesting. Steve and Dell -- the Mountain has some great songs and the playing is superb -- as if you would expect anything else. I don't see it as a bluegrass record at all. I like it . . . but I agree with Dave and Terry (shoot me!! g) that I prefer the ultra eclectic Steve Earle records. But that said this is fairly eclectic when you consider that he is using Del and the band for Irish tunes, pop-folk ballads, and modern storytelling. The weaknesses are that I too think I am conscious of the writing on a few songs as if (endearingly I might add) Steve is trying to write what he thinks a String Band album should have as topics for songs!! It almost makes me cry how naive and beautiful that is . . . whether it is true or not I picture this prison hardened legendary songwriter thinking about mountains because he is playing with a bluegrass band! Good Record though. Joe Henry -- well sorry but my fellow former Ann Arborite is not doing it for me with his new record 'Fuse'. I just find it boring I guess. The lo-fi hi-fi drum/bass loops with ethereal padding seems to abscure some great lyciral work for me. EVen having a cut on Felicity can't save it for me. Sorry Joe. The Damnations -- now I have the tape pre-realease and I understand that they touched some things up -- but for my money this recording is the over-hyped CD of the year. I have played on the same bill as the Damnations and really think they have great talent and live energy . . . talent to spare and deserve their live rep!! But the record is flat and repetitive and not remotely country. The only song I can remember is the Black Widow and it is too long and reminds me of Trip Shakespeare's weaker moments. The voices are great but don't resemble any of the great sibling duets that they have been compared to. I don't get any of the songs. Emperor's New Clothes . . . QUICKIES: and for what it's worth the new Terry Allen has made a nice (quirky intelligent timeless) impression on me. I don't know what my problem is but I am kind of digging the new Paul Westerberg. Mostly the sounds. and I am totally into the Ray Wiley Hubbard pre-release of the Philo record he is puttng out later this year. that's all I can think of . . . -jim (ducking -- but with a clean conscience -- and without a dictionary!!)
Re: The Mountain (LONG w/1999 Reviews)
Jim writes, regarding Kelly Willis: What I cannot figure out is why her cuts on compilations (i.e. Real: Tom T. Hall Project and Rig Rock Deluxe) practically bring me to spasms of joy and are often my favorite cuts on the comps. But Her solo albums always leave me a little let-down?? this is what I feel about Whiskeytown's songs...their compilation choices rock my world, but I can't get excited about listening to their albums meshel n'vegas
RE: The Mountain (LONG w/1999 Reviews)
James Gerard Roll wrote Kelly Willis: A little flat and slick at first impression but certain songs have really grown on me. What I cannot figure out is why her cuts on compilations (i.e. Real: Tom T. Hall Project and Rig Rock Deluxe) practically bring me to spasms of joy and are often my favorite cuts on the comps. But Her solo albums always leave me a little let-down?? Slonedog responds: Amen to that. If this album were as good as "Truckstop Girl", I'd be spinning it constantly and never leave the house. Perhaps an album with a real band backing her (Son Volt?) might serve her better than the talented but slick-sounding conglomeration of musicians she has on this album. James continues: Wilco: ...I don't think that ALL of the songs are that strong (with the exception of a few - She's a Jar, and a few others are Great!! -- although the last line of She's a Jar is totally distracting and unnecessary IMO) Slonedog responds: Actually I think "She's A Jar" is one of the weaker tunes on an otherwise brilliant pop album. On the first couple of listens, I wasn't that impressed with the first few tracks. For me the album really kicks in about the fifth track with "I'm Always in Love". Then, "Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway (Again)" really rocks my world. As for why Tweedy might be borrowing so liberally from Brian Wilson... because he can. James again: Steve and Del -- ...I agree with Dave and Terry that I prefer the ultra eclectic Steve Earle records. But that said this is fairly eclectic when you consider that he is using Del and the band for Irish tunes, pop-folk ballads, and modern storytelling. Slonedog responds: I think Steve can go overboard on the eclecticism at times. I thought while some of the individual songs on "El Corazon" were brilliant, it doesn't really hold together as a piece of work in the way that "Train-A-Comin'" or even "I Feel Alright" do. While I can appreciate the disparate styles and musicianship of say "NYC" and "I Still Carry You Around", I don't think it necessarily serves either song to put them on the same album with each other. That said, I agree with James' point about "The Mountain" being more eclectic than it might get credit for being labeled an "exclusively bluegrass" album. But I disagree that Steve would view any of these songs as mere genre exercises when he sat down to write the album. As for the "Train-A-Comin'" vs. "The Mountain" debate, both hold together well and will alternate on the tape deck on many road trips to come. "The Mountain" might get the nod for better production and more original songs but "Train-A-Comin" will probably continue to be the sentimental favorite. Just my 2 cents, Slonedog
